Council of Ministers (Hansard, 1 March 1989)

§ Mrs. Chalker

The usual forecast was deposited in the House earlier today. At present eight meetings of the Council of Ministers are planned for March.

The Environment Council will meet on 2 March. It will discuss two draft directives on genetically modified organisms; limits on emissions from municipal waste incineration plants; discharges of dangerous substances in water; limits on emissions of sulphur dioxide; the prospects for further reductions in CFCs; transfrontier shipment of hazardous waste, and possibly the conservation of the African elephant.

The Industry Council meets on 6 March to consider three items on Community support for small and medium enterprises: a Commission paper on the establishment of the enterprise directorate, DG XXIII; the third report on the action programme and an evaluation of Europartenariat (trans-national co-operation between small firms). It will also hold a general orientation debate on the industrial aspects of high definition television and possibly a preliminary discussion of the Commission's proposed Council decision on HDTV, which is due to be discussed in detail at the Telecommunications Council on 27 April.

The Agriculture Council will meet on 6, 7 and possibly 8 March and again on 20, 21 and possibly 22 March to discuss 1989 CAP price fixing proposals, New Zealand butter and sheepmeat, aid for the conversion of agricultural production, and the forestry action programme. It may also consider the proposal on preservatives for use in foodstuffs.

The Economic and Finance Council will meet on 13 March to consider the Commission's quarterly review of the economic situation in the Community; to discuss fraud against the EC budget in the context of the Court of Auditors' annual report and the discharge of the 1987 budget; and to prepare for the spring IMF/IBRD meetings.

The Research Council will meet on 14 March. The agenda anticipates the adoption of three R and D programme proposals: large-scale facilities (a plan to facilitate access to large-scale scientific facilities of European interest); JOULE (non-nuclear energy and efficient use of energy) and BRITE/EURAM (research in manufacturing technologies and advanced materials). The Commission hopes that common positions will be agreed on the following programmes: FLAIR, MAST, DOSES, VALUE, MONITOR, and EUROTRA. It is hoped to adopt a decision on a programme of decommissioning of nuclear installations. There will also be an initial debate on the mid-term review of the framework programme (1987–1991).

The Transport Council on 14 March is expected to continue its discussions on the weights and dimensions of 2, 3 and 4-axled commercial vehicles; the rules governing access to the road haulage profession; a scheme for dealing with overcapacity on certain inland waterways; and 213W possible arrangements for introducing road haulage cabotage. It may also discuss the inter-regional air services directive, and allow initial exchanges on the future of Community spending on transport infrastructure, and on road safety issues. The Commission may give an interim report on its negotiations with Austria, Switzerland and Yugoslavia on the transit through those countries of Community traffic.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 20 March will probably be asked to give the Commission the guidance necessary to ensure a positive outcome to the April meeting of the GATT round trade negotiations committee. The Council will also discuss EC/Council of Europe relations. In the margins there will be an EC/Malta Association Council to discuss matters of mutual concern arising out of the EC/Malta association agreement, and an informal meeting between Community and EFTA Ministers to discuss future economic co-operation between the EC and EFTA.